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Grapes (Vitis spp.), globally cultivated for wine and other grape-based products, are susceptible to various diseases, pests, and disorders. These challenges are particularly pervasive in Virginia and viticultural regions in similar climates. Thus, growers routinely use insecticides and fungicides to protect their fruits. However, frequent or excessive use of these chemicals can pose environmental and human health risks and increase the chances of fungicide resistance. Many crop production systems use physical barriers to shield plant surfaces from biotic and abiotic environmental factors, particularly in Asian countries. This study evaluated the efficacy of paper bags, umbrella-style covers, and fruit-zone shelters in mitigating fungal diseases, insect infestations, and other factors that damage grape clusters. A series of field experiments were conducted at four commercial vineyards in Virginia and one research experiment station at Virginia Tech in five years with eight grape cultivars. Our results highlighted the importance of bag and fruit-zone shelter applications. Especially when these protection measures were applied around bloom, we observed reductions in the level of multiple diseases and insect- and bird-related damages. Fruit bagging resulted in significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) mean severity and incidence of black rot, sour rot, sooty mold, and grape berry moth damage. Similarly, we found a significantly lower mean incidence of black rot, ripe rot, sour rot, and bird damage with the application of fruit-zone shelters. Thus, fruit bagging and fruit-zone shelter can be an effective cultural method for safeguarding grape clusters from different diseases, potentially reducing pesticide use and offering economic advantages to growers. / Master of Science / Grapes are produced for making wine and other grape-based products worldwide. However, grape production often faces challenges from diseases, pests, and environmental factors, especially in humid regions like Virginia. Grape growers use pesticides (insecticides and fungicides) to protect their crops. However, these chemicals can harm the environment and human health; moreover, these disease organisms and pests can become resistant to pesticides. In many parts of the world, especially in Asia, farmers use physical barriers like bags or covers to protect their crops from various harmful factors. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of paper bags, umbrella-style covers, and special shelters around the fruit area of grape plants against fungal diseases, insect problems, and other damages. We conducted a series of experiments over five years in four commercial vineyards and a research station in Virginia, using eight grape cultivars. Our findings showed that using bags and shelters around the grapes, especially during the blooming period, was effective. Bagging the fruit led to significantly fewer cases of diseases (black rot, sour rot, and sooty mold) and grape berry moth damage. Likewise, using shelters around the fruit area resulted in significantly lower diseases (black rot, ripe rot, and sour rot) and bird damage. Therefore, these protective methods could offer more options for grape growers to protect yield from factors damaging their high-value crops.

The Blooming Factory is a proposal to restore and care for the abandoned Nitrolack-factory and the surrounding industrial site of Lövholmen in Stockholm. The aim is to protect the character of the building and the site while transforming the program into spaces that support the city long-term as a neighboorhod of care that align with the cycles of nature and its use of natural resources.  The project developed from the overall principle of Care and Bengt Warnes ‘Naturhus’ typology where the green house function as a structural framework for working with natural cycles in the built environment. Through cultivating the flow of resources such as energy, water, and food we also create pleasurable habitats for ourselves (and other creatures.) In the Blooming Factory, the existing building and the green house extension support each other as well as the neighbourhood. By extending the western brick façade with a greenhouse, the façade character is protected, and the material re-used both as structural support, isolation, and heat storage. The cultivation and harvesting of produce in the greenhouse support the existing building as well as the neighbourhood with food, energy, financial revenue, and knowledge.

Byggnaden är publik och programmet kretsar kring odling. Byggt på en stålstomme är de exteriöra material i fasaden är polykarbonat och glas och består av stora öppningsbara dörr- och fönsterpartier. Byggnaden består av tre klimatzoner där den första fungerar som vinterträdgård. Den andra klimatzonen definieras av en generös foaje som fungerar som fortsättning på den offentliga gången som går genom trädgårdslotterna utanför. Tredje klimatzonen är flera separata rum.  Likt skalet kan zonerna och rummen öppnas upp med skjutbara fönsterpartier mot varandra. På så sätt upphör skillnaderna mellan klimatzonerna och inom- och utomhus övergår i varandra. Byggnaden har ett fjärilsformat tak med syfte att ta tillvara på regnvatten som i sin tur kan ledas till det interna växthuset på bottenvåningen. Växthuset i kombination med vinterträdgården tillåter året-runt odling och därmed att verksamheten som sker utanför kan fortsätta under vinterhalvåret.  Genom att integrera odling och även ta in och återspegla det som sker på trädgårdslotterna runt i kring är förhoppningen att byggnaden ska upplevas i kontinuitet med sin omgivning och uppmuntra till deltagande. / The building is public and the program revolves around cultivation. Built on a steel frame, the exterior materials in the facade are polycarbonate and glass and consist of large openable door and window sections. The building consists of three climate zones, the first of which serves as a conservatory. The second climate zone is defined by a generous foyer that serves as a continuation of the public corridor that runs through the garden plots outside. The third climate zone is several separate rooms. Like the shell, the zones and rooms can be opened up with sliding window sections facing each other. In this way, the differences between the climate zones and indoors and outdoors merge into one another. The building has a butterfly-shaped roof with the purpose of utilizing rainwater, which in turn can be led to the internal greenhouse on the ground floor. The greenhouse in combination with the conservatory allows year-round cultivation. By integrating cultivation and also taking in and reflecting what is happening on the garden plots around, the hope is that the building will be experienced in continuity with its surroundings and encourage participation.